Awareness is key to addict recovery

One of the most effective ways to help a drug or alcohol addict recover from their problems is to remind them that they are not alone in their struggles. This isn't limited to an individual's immediate family – rather, it requires a greater degree of public awareness to truly help remedy the situation.

In a recent interview with the Missoula Independent Record, Dr. Marc Mentel of the Community Physician Group in Missoula said that educating communities about the realities and dangers of substance addiction is vital to helping these people overcome seemingly insurmountable issues. Additionally, the abuse specialist advocated for more outreach programs to ensure a greater level of understanding.

"The best way to deal with this silent epidemic is public awareness," he told the source.

Mentel also called for a more realistic view on how pain medications – a rising source of addiction – were previously prescribed to patients. In past decades, many doctors failed to see how their treatments were actually fueling substance abuse. By not acknowledging this issue – and instead pushing all of the blame to the addicts themselves – there is a risk of continuing this serious problem.

It remains unclear how long it will take for the American public to start comprehensively treating substance abuse as a disease instead of a choice. However, the families of drug and alcohol addicts – armed with this knowledge – can begin taking steps to helping their loved ones succeed in beating their addiction. Intervention Services offers a complete alcohol and drug intervention program to assist those in need take back control of their lives.